St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-11-19
A BOY WHO SMOKED.
This Story Tells How He Came to
Quit It.

Quit It.
The high school boys had never heard
of Victor Hugo's 1.-The Man Who
Laughs" when they dubbed one ol
their pumbcr The Boy Who Smokes" ("
He came, among them at the beginning
Of the yeas> a stranger. With admir-.
ing wonder. R,cy saw him light cigar.
cites at recess. aad puff real. big. brown
cigars on Saturday afternoons. aud 50
gave him his title. After a time. he
Richard Gordon-was called Gordon.
rs Charlie was called Hamilton. and
Joe, Williams. But outside If his par
ticular circle Of friends, he retained the
distinction Of being 1.-The Boy Who
Smokes"
One SATURDAY.. -s:er short game ci
hall on the upper green. Gordon and
Charlie sanntored Of together. They
were great friends. but unlike Ia char
acter, rs great friends are apt to be.
Charlie was the most popular boy in
school. Gordon was at first inclined to
be icalons. y" soon yielded to his un-
failing good-humor and the fascination
of a certain stumpy pencil which traced
in well-rubbed notebook wonderful
faces. beautiful. ridiculous, horrible. or
more interesting still. ones own. in
perfect likeness. with any sort of ex-
preston desired.
Lets go up to the grove: l want to
take smoke. and have to be rather
careful nowadays because Aunt Kate
is at our house," said Gordon. Il think
she has told mother that smoke"
"Walnut Grove sloped gently to
the edge Of beautiful, quiet lake.
which lay blue and sparkling in the
AFTERNOON sunshine; and presently the
boys were seated on a fiat, lichen-
covered rock. which large old stump
at one side had made into comforta-
BILE. high. backed bench. Gordon drew
a cigar from his pocket and lighted it
with grand air. signing. as he looked
reproachfully at Charlie: Il do wish
you would smoke. Ham," (short for
Hainilton).
''Bahr' replied Charlie. skipping a
stone. 'One. two. three. four. five,
six--scven! Could you do that?''
Il know you'd like it in . little
while"
.Proba Ny--it isn't that: my ejacula-
tion. sir. had deeper meaning, but
your feeble mind is doubtless unable to
grasp il. Ahemr'
"Your father smokesr' persisted
Gordon. watching. through the delicate
blue wreaths. crow sailing over dis
tant field.
Yes; and I've heard him saw forty
times that he wished he had never be-
gun. | shouldn't feel particularly
proud to have to say what he did to
mother this morning" And Charlie.
in penitent attitude and = tone OF
deep humility. quoted; Excuse me,
my dear. hut tobacco and dyspepsia 60
together. and smoker is always cross
before breakfast"
Gordon laughed; then he said: 20
pshaw!' and after a moment: But it
Is such social habit
$50 is chewing gum" returned
Charlie. "A lot Of fellows would look
sensible. wouldn't they? passing around
box OF spruce: DO take one my dear
teIlow-superior quality-fresh from
the forests of Maine-splendid flavor"
Gordon said 20 pshawr' again.
''You don't know anything about it:
there is an effect from smoking-a-a
its so soothingr'
If the effect l have observed" re-
marked Charlie dryly. ..is what you
call soothing, | believe don't care to
experience it."
Iorion gave quick look into
Charles face. but it was calm and ex-
pressionless; and he went on: ..Thc
fact is. Ham. you can't make the right
sort Of man unless you smoke. It's
manly to SMOKE
'Uh! well. [ believe I know some
pretty decent men who don't smoke;
Senator Hitchcock. Judge Morris, and
Dr. Goidsby. for instance. As to the
manliness OF it. YOU may feel it all. but
! must say YOU don't look very manly
shying around trees and the corners of
the school-house with your cigarettes.
and smoking down here on a rock
where your Aunt Kate can't see YOU,
and where the wind will blow the
smoke out OF your clothes so she can't
smell YOU"
ms time Gordon flushed angrily.
II You mean to insult me-" he began,
but Charlie turned with the laughing
light in his soft, brown eyes, and the
smile every one liked. and /. said:
Come. Dick! You know l don't, and
know it's true. and you can't quarrel
with me, YOU know"